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AN ACCOUNT OF A 



STEAMBOAT EXCURSION 



BY A 



PAETY OF LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 



FKOM WORCESTER. MASS., 



IN THE SUMMER OF 1869. 




WORCESTER: 

PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON 
PALLADIUM OFFICE. 



THE COMMITTEE, 

IN BEHALF OF THE 

COIT EXCURSIONISTS," OF 1869, 
respectfully 
dedicate this little volume to the 
Chaplain of the Party, 
REV. G. J. SANGER. 



i 



PREFACE 




E owe no apology to our friends the " Coits " or 
the chance reader for presentuig- this little volume, 
as we were elected to do it. If we have succeeded 
in selecting and arranging such matter as faithfully gives an 
account of the delightful trip of 1869, and if the work in other 
respects meets your kind approbation, we shall be satislied. 
We believe it to be the duty of every one to break loose 
occasionally from the restraint of business or the dull routine 
of domestic cares, and seek that recreation we all need, amid 
new scenes and under new circumstances ; and we know of 
no trip better adapted to invigorate us physically and mentally, 
and inspire us with love and gratitude to the Creator of all 
things, than a trip upon the deep, blue sea! 

"Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll! 

Time writes no wrinkle on thine azure brow,— 
Such as creation's dawn beheld thee thou rollest now." 

God never intended we should spend our days constantly 

engrossed with the cares of life! If he had, he would not 

have created a world fiUed with so much to enjoy and given 

us such capabilities for enjoying it. As much of our enjoy- 

1* 



VI PKEFACE. 

inent in life depends upon the memories of the past, we 
hope this little record of a very pleasant excursion will serve 
to keep memory's links bright, and perhaps cast a pleasant 
beam upon some dark hour of life. 

With these thoughts, kind friends, we submit the following 
pages to your charitable criticism, and trust we may meet 
many times ere we are called upon 

" to join 

The innumerable caravan which moves 

To that mysterious realm where each shall take 

His chamber in the silent halls of death," 

and that we may all so live as to 

" approach the grave 

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams," 

is the earnest wish of 

Your Committee. 



OFFICERS OF STEAMER. 



CAPTAIN : 

W. R. BROWN, New London. 

FIRST PILOT: 

GEORGE GEER. New London. 

CHIEF engineer: 
FRANK BIDWELL, Norwich. 

SECOND engineer: 
HENRY DURFEE, Norwich. 

STEWARD : 

JAJLES LAWLESS, New London. 

CHIEF mate: 

ALBERT LESTER, Lyme. 

SECOND mate: 
CHARLES LES lER, Lyme. 



OFFICERS OF THE PARTY. 



PRESIDENT : 

GEORGE R. PECKHAM. 

VICE presidents: 

G. A. BARNARD, 
WM. C. BARBOUR. 

SECRETARY : 

WM. MECORNEY. 

TREASURER : 

GEO. W. WHEELER. 

STEWARD : 

HENRY GLAZIER, 

chaplain : 
Rev. G. J. SANGER. 



NAMES OF THE PARTY. 



E. E. ABBOTT, 


Worcester. 


Mrs. AUGUSTA ABBOTT, 


ii 


H. H. ADAMS, 


Templeton. 


Mrs. H. H. ADAMS, 


u 


FRANK A. ATHERTON, 


Worcester. 


JOHN M. ALDRICH, 


a 


Mrs. JOHN M. ALDRICH, 


' u 


GEO. 0. BRIGHAM, 


Westboro'. 


JONAS B. BRIGHAM, 


u 


THOMAS BROWN, 


Worcester. 


Miss SARAH D. BANCROFT, 


u 


JOHN S. BRIGHAM, 


u 


Miss SARAH M. BRIGHAM, 


(I 


LEWIS F. BALL, 


West Brookfield. 


JOHN BARNARD, 


Worcester. 


Mrs. SARAH B. BARNARD, 


u 


WM. H. BROWN, 


East Princeton. 


ELLEN S. BROWN, 


, u ii. 


WM. J. BAKER, 


Worcester, 


M. A. BARTLETT, 


a 


Miss P. A. BARNES, 


a 


Mrs. SARAH A. BUCKLEY, 


Millbury. 


WM. C. BARBOUR, 


Worcester. 


Mrs. M. a. BARBOUR, 


41 



10 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



Miss M. JENNIE BARBOUR, Worcester. 

CHAS. A. BARBOUR, 

JAMES BROADBENT, " 

HENRY P. BARBOUR, 

JOHN N. BANCROFT, 

ELIAS T. BE MIS, 

Mrs. E. T. BEMIS, 

AZRO L. D. BUXTON, " 

MARY CON ANT, Bane. 

Mrs. ELIZABETH S. CONNELL, Troy, N. Y. 

S. B. CORBIN, Worcester. 

JOSEPH CURTIS, 

MARIA CURTIS, 

E. W. CARTER, '• 

Mrs. E. W. CARTER, " 

Miss ANNIE E. CHILDS, 

LEMUEL COBURN. " 

Mrs. LEMUEL COBURN, 

EDWARD I. COMINS, ' " 

HENRY CLAPP, " 

Rev. ]VIR. COBB, Northampton. 

Mrs. MARTHA W. CHAMBERLAIN, Worcester. 

Miss CARRIE M. CHAMBERLAIN, 

JOSIAH CHILDS, Westboro'. 

JAMES CLELAND, Maiden. 

FRANK CORBIN, W^orcester. 

THOS. W. DAVIS. 

CHARLES DENNIS, 

MARY DENNIS, 

JOSEPH DAVIS, 

Mrs. J. DAVIS, 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



11 



J. T. EVERETT, 
Mrs. MARY A. EVERETT, 
Miss LIZZIE H. ELLIS, 
G. W. ELKIXS, 
JAMES X. ENGLEY. 
ARTHUR ESTABROOK, 
Miss LIZZE A. FLAGG. 
Miss REBECCA R. FAY, 
E. EUGENE FORBES, 
GEO. A FORBES, 
Mrs. M. ADELIA FORBES, 
ABRAHAM FAY, 
Mrs. ABIGAIL FAY, 
VVM. X. FIELD, 
HIRAM FOBES. 
THEO. N. GATES. 
Mrs. lizzie A. GATES, 
Miss ABBIE A. GODDARD, 
ORLANDO GODDARD. 
Miss KATIE E. GATES, 

bramai^ grout, 
frederick goulding, 

Mrs. a. W. grant, 

GEORGE GEER. 

Mrs. HENRIETTA GEER, 

WM. A. GREENE, 

SAMUEL GRIFFIN, 

MARY A. GRIFFIN, 

C. H. GOODWIN, 

M. M. GARFIELD. 

Mrs. LUCY M. GARFIELD, 



East Princeton. 
Worcester. 

Leicester. 
Worcester. 

u 

Westboro', 
West Brookfield. 

Northboro'. 

Worcester. 
Westboro'. 
Worcester. 



Leicester. 

Worcester. 

Charlestovvn. 

Worcester. 

Shrewsbury. 
East Princeton. 



Worcester. 



12 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



Miss NELLIE H. GREENE, Shrewsbiuy. 

HENRY GLAZIER, Worcester. 

Mrs. MARIA H. GLAZIER, 

JALAAM GATES, '* 

WM. HUNT, 

Mrs. WM. HUNT, 

FREDERICK O. HARRINGTON, 

JOHN HILLARD, 

Mrs. ELIZA W. HILLARD, *' 

FRANK E. HIGGINS. 

ARTHUR H. HOWLAND. 

S. A. HOWLAND, «. 

JOHN HOMAN. Westboro'. 

C. S. HENRY, 

CHENEY HATCH. Leicester. 

Mrs. CHENEY HATCH, 

L. N. HOLTON. Worcester. 

Mrs. S. FRANCES HOLTON, 

GIDEON HARRIS. 

Mrs. SOPHIE R. HARRIS. " 

Miss RUTH A. HOWLAND, 

N. C. HOWE, 

Mrs. N. C. HOW^. *' 

HENRY F. HARRIS, Oakdale. 

LINUS M. HARRIS, 

Mrs. ARMILLA E. HARRIS, '' 

WM. HARRINGTON, Worcester. 

F. G. HOOKER, 

EZRA B. HOLMES, 

SAMUEL D. HUBBARD, Holden. 

Mrs. E. C. HUBBARD, ♦' 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



13 



ALBERT F. HATCH, Worcester. 

Mrs. SARAH R. HATCH, " 

FRANK A. HATCH, ** 

HENRY H. HOLDEN, '' 

Mrs. HEXRY H. HOLDER, " 

THEO. S. HOBBS, '' 
Mrs. CLARA A. HOBBS, 

Mrs. J. HUNT, Vernon, Vt. 

Miss MARY HALL, Worcester. 
WM. HENVILLE, 

ISAAC JOHNSON, Sturbrid^e. 
Mrs. charlotte J. JOHNSON. 
CHARLES H. JACKSON, West Brookfleld. 
Mrs. CHARLES H. JACKSON, 

HENRY J. KENDALL, Worcester. 
Mrs. ]\L4RY J. IvENDALL, 

WM. KNOWLES. " 

Mrs. H. W. KNIGHTS, Orange. 

Mrs. E. M. KIMBALL, Worcester. 
ALBERT G. KENDALL, 
Miss EMMA S. R. KENDRICK, 

Mrs. LYDIA A. KINGMAN, " 

Miss ELDORA E. LORING, Leicester. 
Miss ABBIE L. LORING, 

BETSEY MIDGLEY, Lowell. 

ALFRED C. MURRAY, Worcester. 
O. P. MAYNARD. West Brookfleld. 
Mrs. M. L. MAYNARD, 

ALBERT H. MURDOCK. West Boylston. 

/^ WM. MECORNEY, Worcester. 
Mrs. R. L. MECORNEY. 



14 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



WM. MOORE, 
M. H. MIPJCK, 
Mrs. L. M. MIRICK, 
WALTER MOORE, 
CHARLES MORSE. 
HEXRY B. NOURSE, 
N. F. NEWELL, 
Mrs. K. F. KEWELL, 
CHARLES O. PARKER, 
Miss ELLA J. PRATT. 
C. H. PIERCE, 
Mrs. E. E. PARKER. 
ARTHUR D. PRATT. 
Mrs. D. F. PARKER. 
WM.D. PROUTY, 
Mrs. WM. D. PROUTY. 
Miss MARY E. PROUTY, 
Miss ALICE M. PROUTY, 
DEXTER H. PERRY, 
DEXTER N. PRATT, 
Miss SARAH F. PUTNAM, 
Miss LOUISA M. RICE, 
Miss HATTIE E. RICHARDS, 
JOHX RICHARDS, 
HENRY RICH, 
HENRY F. ROSS, 
Mrs. HATTIE E. RICH, 
THOMAS STOTT, 
Mrs. LEAH STOTT, 
ALBERT J. STONE, 
Mrs. BERT STONE, 



Northboro.' 
East Princeton. 

Worcester. 

Westboro'. 

Worcester. 

Ik 

Westboro'. 
Worcester. 
Westboro'. 
Worcester. 



West Brookfield. 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 



15 



GEORGE T. SCOTT, 


Worcester. 


Mrs. ELIZABETH S. SCOTT, 


u 


GEORGE SESSIONS, 


u 


Mrs. MARY J. SESSIONS, 


11 


Miss MARY S. SESSIONS, 


(( 


DR. E. SCHOFIELD, 


kl 


E. SMITH, Jr., 


(•'* 


Mrs. E. SMITH, Jr., 


ik 


Miss-ESTELLA SMITH, 


k( 


H. A. STREETER. 


l( 


Mrs. H. a. STREETER, 


kk 


Mrs. almond STREETER, 


i'. 


Miss MARY SHAW, 


Millbury. 


P. H. SMITH, 


Northampton. 


T. H. STODDARD, 


u 


Miss HATTIE A. SMITH, 


Worcester. 


Miss S. ANNIE STEVENS, 


11 


Mrs. R. D. STEVENS, 


Vernon, Vt. 


Mrs. SWAIM, 


Oxford, 


S. D. TOURTELLOT, 


Worcester. 


Mrs. LUCY TOURTELLOT, 


kC 


ELIAS TEMPLE, 


<l 


Mrs. MARIA I. TAUNT. 


41 


Miss EMMA E. UPHAM, 


U 


C. N. WALKER. 


!•■' 


Mrs. lizzie L. WALKER, 


a 


AMANDA L. WILCOX, 


Uxbrid^e. 


SAMUEL WARREN. 


Holden. 


MARION E. WARREN, 


i>' 


JAMES J. WARREN, 


Brimfield. 


Mrs. JAMES J. WARREN, 


a 



16 



THE RrVTJR AND THE SOUND. 



Miss FAXXY E. WARREX, 
Miss ELLEX E. WARREX, 
Miss MARY W. WARREX, 
Master JOHX M. WARREX, 
C. WARREX, 

Mrs. SARAH A. WHITXEY, 
Miss KATE E.. WHITE. 
Miss MARIA J. WARREX, 
MissADDIE J. WARREX, 
SETH D. ^YILLIAMS. 
DELUCAR S. WILLIAMS, 
A. J. WARFIELD, 
Mrs. a. J. WARFIELD, 
Miss EMMA J. WOOD, 
GEORGE W. WAKEFIELD, 
A G. WALKER, 
A. L. WILLISTOX. 
HUGH A. WILLSOX. 
CHAS. H. WOOD\YELL, 
CLAREXCE C. WHITE, 
CORBIX O. WOOD, 
Mrs. C.O.WOOD, 
Miss H. WIXSLOW, 
LEWIS F. WHITE, 
GEO. W. WHEELER, 
Mrs. HARRIET S. WHEELER, 
MissMARY^ G. B. WHEELER, 
Miss SARAH WILSOX, 



Brimfield. 



Leicester. 

WinchendoD. 

Leicester. 



Worcester. 



Xortharapton. 

West Boylston. 

Worcester. 

Leicester. 

Worcester. 

Maiden. 

Charlton Depot. 

Worcester. 



ORIGIN OF THE EXCURSION. 




'uEING the summer of 1868, a partj' of worthy citizens 
from the '' Heart of the Commonwealth," desiring 
to enjoy a season of recreation, organized themselves 
into an association by the choice of proper officers, and having 
chartered of Capt. W. W. Coit, of Xorwich, Ct.. the steamer 
bearing his name, they proceeded to said city August 3, and, 
taking possession of their " own hired boat," spent a few 
days in visiting Xewport, Edgartown, New Bedford, etc. A 
further account of tlie trip may be found in a little volume of 
about the same size and style of this, entitled " By Sea and 
Land." Early this season, members of the same party, having 
pleasant recollections of the good time of last year, called a 
meeting of the " Coits." extending the invitation to others, the 
result of which was the organization of another party, retain- 
ing the old title '-Coit Excursionists.'" 

As there was a prospect of a much larger party, it became 
necessary to obtain a more capacious steamer than the one used 
last year, and after due consideration, the ^^ City of New Lon- 
don'' was chartered of Julius Webb, agent of the Boston, 
Norwich and New York Transportation Company, for an eight 
days' trip, an account of wliieh will be found in the succeeding 
pages, made up of an extended article vvhich appeared 



18 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

in the Westboro'' Chro7iotype^ whose editor, C. H. Pierce, Esq., 
was a member of tiie party, and a series of letters which 
appeared in the Worcester Daily Spy over the initials W. M. 

Other matter was in the hands of your committee, but as it 
contains substantially the same facts, they did not think it 
would be advisable to publish it, neither did they feel at liberty 
to pass over the articles in the Evening Gazette, furnished that 
paper by the gentlemanly editor who was one of our party, 
without acknowledging their interest and worthiness of a place 
in this volume under other circumstances. 



CRUISE OF THE COITS 



Originally published In the TVestboro' Chronotype. 




.UGUST 11—18, 1869, are eight brilliant red-letter 
days in many a book of remembrance. They 
mark the grand carnival of pleasm-e prosecuted by two 
himdred and sixty ladies and gentlemen of Worcester and 
vicinity, over a water trip of seven hundi-ed miles, and 
tlirough eight cities. Much was anticipated from an excur- 
sion of such unusual proportions, but vastly more was real- 
ized. In fact, it proved the inost successful affau- of the 
kind which has yet been projected in New England. 

The party was mainly made up of some of the best 
citizens of Worcester County ; not people of wealth and 
social position merely, but those whose hearts are in the 
right place, and who never for a moment forget the 
amenities of life. Throughout the trip, starch was at a 
discount, and all stood upon a common level, mingling 



20 THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 

freely together as a "happy femily;" and, what is a 
rather unusual circumstance, the Captain and one of the 
pilots joined unreservedly with the party wherever they 
landed, and at their evening entertainments. The Cap- 
tain pronounced it the most agreeable and orderly j^aity 
he ever took out ; and one of the pilots emphatically as- 
sured me that he did not believe the aifair could be beaten 
in any respect, and sincerely hoped to see us again 
next year. 

The train which took us from Worcester gave up four 
cars, mth a baggage car, to our exclusive use. These 
furnished rather limited quarters, and a few " set-a-stand- 
ing," like the Dutchman's hen. We were not more thdn 
five minutes behind time in starting from Worcester, and 
reached Norwich at half past nine. The cars stopped within 
three or four rods of the pier ; and before ten o'clock we 
were all on board the " City of New London^' a fine 
steamer of 1203 tons. 

The boat left the wharf at about ten o'clock, and the 
state-rooms were sold by auction immediately after. The 
sale was a lively competition throughout, prices being 
of little account to those with whom state-rooms were 
just then the things to be desired above all others. 
Forty-one rooms were sold at prices ranging from forty- 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 21 

two and a half down to eleven and a half dollars, 
aggi'egating eight hundi-ed and ninety dollars. This 
made an average of $21.71, — nearly thi"ee times as much 
as the average prices obtained last year, and very ma- 
terially reduced the general expenses of the trip. Geo. 
O. Brigham, of Westboro', bought a room for $25, 
and after the sale, was oifered $40 for it. Another 
gentleman told me that he paid $12 for one, and had 
been offered $27 to give it up. Those who did not 
obtain state-rooms were afterwards provided with berths 
by lot. The party was then separated by lot into two di- 
visions, each to alternate with the other in taking the first 
table at meals, as only one hundred and thu'ty could be 
seated at once. From each division a certain number 
volunteered or were detailed to wait upon the other 
table during each day. 

The Commissaiy department was in excellent hands. 
Henry Glazier, of Worcester, was the steward, and soon 
got his feeding apparatus in good working order. 

The inaugm*al day of the trip proved a magnificent 
one, although in the morning it looked a little unprom- 
ising. A thin haze obscured the sun, and a fresh, de- 
lightful breeze was stirring during most of the day. The 
boat moved as steadily through the waters of the Sound 



22 THE RIVER. AND THE SOUND. 

• 

as a car upon the iron track, and not a soul on board 
had a thought of paying tribute to Old Neptune. 

At foui- o'clock in the afternoon, we entered the harbor 
of New Haven, and in due time had reached the city 
of many elms and much learning. Our party was soon 
on shore, intent upon seeing as many of the sights as 
the limited time would permit. A few of us visited 
Yale College grounds, and rendered a verdict then and 
there, that during the vacation of the students, (as was 
then the case,) there is nothing specially attractive about 
the shades of academic groves and piles of brick a 
century old. 

We delayed leaving New Haven till midnight. By this 
arrangement an excellent opportunity was afforded the 
party to view all tlie objects of interest along the ap- 
proaches to New York city by daylight. 

The trip up the East River and liarbor was made in the 
early sunlight of a delightful day, which seemed to invest 
with a peculiar attraction the objects of note along the 
route. Breakfast was entirely forgotten in the absorbing 
business of gazing at and commenting upon the forts, the 
institutions on Blackwell's Island, the public buildings 
at other points, Hurl Gate and the operations in progress 
there for its removal, Jones' Wood, the Battery, and 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 23 

the water fronts of Kew York and Brooklyn. We 
reached Pier 40 at nine o'clock on Thursday morning. 

The party now improved the few hours at command 
in such ways as seemed most desirable, — several of us 
visiting the fir-fimed Greenwood Cemetery, where over 
two hours were profitably spent in rambling through one 
of the most enchanting spots of consecrated ground in 
this country. It fir surpasses Mount Auburn, beautiful as 
that cemetery is, although in the way of lot enclosures 
Greenwood is much behind the latter, which has discarded 
iron fences, and has substituted hammered granite borders. 

The westerly entrance to the cemetery, which is ap- 
proached by a very wide avenue, is a magnificent archi- 
tectural structure in free-stone. The central portion, or 
carriage way, consists of two arches, over each of which, 
on each side, is a large and elaborately cut -bas-relief, 
illustrating scriptural references to death and the resur- 
rection. To the right and left are entrances for \^sitors 
on foot, and lobbies furnished with nicely upholstered 
double chairs. 

In this cemetery is the famous monument to the memo- 
ry of Charlotte Cauda, who was killed on the seventeenth 
anniversary of her bu'th' day. It was sculptured in Italy, 
in white marble. It is in the Gothic style, and in the 



24 THE KIVER AND THE SOUND. 

central arch is a statue of Charlotte Canda. It cost $70,- 
000, (the bulk of the fortune Miss Canda would have 
inherited,) and makes the smallest show for the money 
exj^ended that I have ever seen in a structure of this 
character. The details are small and entirely fail to pro- 
duce the effect of a bolder and less elaborate style. I was 
informed that the remains of Miss Canda have been 
removed from this costly resting place to another in the 
city of Paris. 

Another monumental structure worthy of note, is a life- 
size statue of Captain Correga, in marble, standing upon 
a gi'anite pedestal. The Captain is represented as dressed 
in citizen's garb, and wearing upon his head an old fash- 
ioned heavy topped fur cap. In his hands he holds a 
sextant, with which he is taking an observation. This 
statue was erected by the Captain himself, seventeen 
years before his death. The instrument he holds is the 
identical one used by him during his voyages, and was not 
placed in position till after his death. 

One of the chief objects of interest is the "Pilot's 
Monument," situated on nearly the highest point of land in 
the cemetery, and commanding a full and magnificent view 
of the bay of New York. The monument was erected 
by the New York City Government in perpetuation of 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 25 

the memory of a pilot ayIio lost his life several years ago 
while m the discharge of his hazardous duties. 

Still another noticeable featm-e of this cemetery is the 
Firemen's Monument and sm-roimdings, which are dedi- 
cated to the memory of the brave men who have sacrificed 
then- lives in the discharge of then* duty as firemen. The 
monument was erected by the Fke Dej^artment of the city 
of New York. 

The style now somewhat in vogue here in the erection 
of family vaults, is to have them in two divisions, — a 
vestibule, and a series of sepulclu'al niches. The vestibule 
is reached tlu'ough a door of open iron-work more or less 
ornamental. Opposite the door the wall of the vestibule 
is in panels of j^olished marble, nearly square, somewhat 
resembhng a series of di'awers, minus the handles. Each 
of these panels can be renioved, and forms the head of a 
receptacle for a single cofiin, which being deposited, the 
head or panel is sealed into its place, and the inscription 
placed upon it. Thi'ough the open-work of the door the 
passer-by can easily read all of these inscriptions. Some- 
times vases of fiowers are kept upon stands in the centre 
of the vestibule, and in one of them I saw a stand and 
two chairs, and on the former a work basket and contents. 

Niblo, of theatrical fame, has recently erected a vault on 

3 



26 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

this plan, one of the most noticeable in the cemetery. 
The remains of his wife are there deposited, and on the 
panel which marks her resting place are the following- 
pathetic lines : 

All that's beautiful in woman, 

All we in her nature love, 
All that's good in all that's human, 

rassed this gate to God above. 

Several of the recently erected monuments are of granite 
with highly polished tablets, on which the inscriptions are 
cut. The polishing of the gi-anite darkens the surface, 
and the contrast between this and the letters cut through 
it renders the inscriptions legible from any point of view. 
One very large monument has its entire surface polished, 
and is really one of the most impressive objects in the 
grounds. 

It is altogether impossible to visit in two hours one half 
that is worth seeing in the four hundi'ed and more acres 
of Greenwood Cemetery, or to give anything like an 
apiH'oach to a description of it in a newspaper aiticle. A 
day might be spent in noting, and a book like this filled in 
describing, the many objects of interest within its limits. 

In going to and returning from Greenwood Cemetery, 
our party visited that mammoth sink of filth and wi'etch- 



THE KIVER AND THE SOUND. 27 

edness, the Fulton Market. The stalls are unfit for Massa- 
chusetts hog pens, and the hucksters who occupy them are 
du-ty and saucy. If, as the good Book intimates, there is 
any connection between cleanliness and godliness, one 
can not wonder at the depraved condition of the great city, 
after seeing this insufferable nuisance in its midst. 

Of com-se no one goes to ISTew York now without 
seeing Central Park ; but most of our party postponed 
then- visit to that place till then- retmii to the city on 
Satm'day. 

At about four o'clock on the afternoon of Thm*sday we 
swung out from the pier, and commenced our royal trip up 
the Hudson River — the Rhine of America — whose le- 
gendary, historical and literary associations render doubly 
enchanting the gi'and and beautiful sceneiy along its 
banks. The great city stretches along the eastern shore 
for miles above om* starting point ; and on the opposite 
side lie Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken. Between 
the latter two places are the " Elysian Fields," a popular 
Sunday resort of the Germans, where music, dancing and 
lager beer prevail. Weehawken is noted as the scene of 
the fatal duel between Hamilton ^nd Burr. 

And now for miles and miles along the pictm*esque 
hights to the right appears an almost continuous succession 



28 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

of stately mansions, with beautifnl lawns, parks, gardens 
and conservatories. Here and there, too, are lovely sub 
urban villages and thriving towns. Among the points of 
special interest in this section of the panorama, are the N. 
Y. Lunatic Asylum ; the house in which the Earl of 
Devon lived; the house occupied by Joseph Bonaparte 
while an exile in this country ; that in which Audubon, 
the celebrated Naturalist, lived and died ; the N. Y. Deaf 
and Dumb Institute ; The site of Fort Washington ; the 
Roman Catholic Convent and Academy of Mount St. 
Vincent ; the castellated mansion built, but never occupied, 
by Edwin Forrest ; Yonkers, the home of Mary Phillips, 
who might have wedded Washington had she been "will- 
in';" the point from which Cornwallis crossed the river 
in 1776 to capture Fort Lee; Dobb's Ferry, noted in 
Revolutionary history as a place for the concentration and 
encampment of troops — ^both British and American ; and 
where a British commission landed to intercede for the 
life of Maj. Andre. 

But while we have all this to charm and interest us 
on the right, we have on the opposite sliore that wonder- 
ful formation, the Palisades, whose precipitous fronts of 
traprock rise like giant sentinels from three hundred to 
five himdred feet in au*, presenting one of the grandest 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 29 

pictiu'es of American scenery. They commence ten miles 
above om- starting point, and continue more or less ab- 
ruptly about fifteen miles. 

We are now opposite Irvington, twenty-fi^ve miles from 
New *Y"ork ; and there, just north of the village, are the 
j)icturesque house and surroundings which constitute the 
world-renowned " Sunny Side," once the home of Wash- 
ington Irving. Three miles farther on is Tarrytown, 
where stands in full view, overlooking the river, the 
"Paulding manor," built of white marble, and pronounced 
one ot the finest specimens of Elizabethan architecture 
in this country. Just above us is the valley of "Sleepy 
Hollow," immortalized by Irving. Three miles above 
Tarrytown is the well known Sing Sing State Prison. 
The buildings are quite extensive and stand close to the 
water's edge. They are built of white marble, quarried 
in the \dcinity — a material not commonly used in resi- 
dences of this character. Opposite Sing Sing is Rockland 
Lake, from which 200,000 tons of ice are annually cut 
for the Kew York market. 

The shades of evening have now settled down around 

us, and the balance of the trip to West Point is made by 

starlight. It is a warm, still, clear night ; and the scenery 

through which we so quietly glide, instead of charming us 

3* 



30 THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 

as before with its details, now becomes impressive in its 
shadowy indistinctness. 

Four miles above Sing Sing we pass Croton Point, off 
which the- Yulture anchored when she brought Andre to 

■4 

meet Arnold, and where a gun was trained upon that 
vessel, and di-ove it ^ovn\ the river. Two miles more take 
us to Stony Point, a bold, rocky eminence, crowned by a 
light house, on the west side of the river. Here the 
stream is only half a mile wide, which fact, together 
with the commanding positions afforded by the neighbor- 
ing hills, rendered this an important pass during the Rev- 
olution. Fortifications were erected here and at Ver- 
planck Point opposite, and were the scenes of some hard 
fought battles. Very near Stony Point is "Treason Hill," 
and the house in which Andre and Arnold met and 
arranged the details for the surrender of West Point. 
Just above Stony Point, on the same side of the river, 
a lofty limestone cliff arises from near the water's edge ; 
and at the foot of the cliff are the "Tomkins Lime Kilns," 
looking like a stone fortress. 

We come now into the grandeur of a night scene 
upon the Hudson. After passing Stony Point, the river 
is narrow all the way to West Point, and soon 
the majestic Highlands begin. On either side are lofty 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 31 

peaks and rocky crags, which in the uncertain starlight 
seem to overhang the river within easy stone's throw of 
the spectator. Among these, on the left, is the long, 
ridge-like elevation, known as the "Donderberg," or 
Thunder Mountain, 1,000 feet high, and on the right is 
"Anthony's Nose," over 1,200 feet high. The former, ac- 
cording to a superstition recorded by In ing, was once peo- 
pled with a crowd of little imps in sugar loaf hats and short 
doublets, who " tumbled head over heels in the rack and 
mist," and brought down frightful squalls on such craft as 
failed to drop the peaks of their mainsails in salute to 
the Dutch goblin who kept the Donderberg. On the rocky 
hights opposite Anthony's Nose, stood forts Clinton and 
Montgomeiy, during the Revolution, and across the river 
was stretched a heavy boom, — a huge iron chain, on tim- 
ber floats, — to prevent the -upward passage of British 
vessels. In 1777 Sir Henry Clinton captured these forts 
and destroyed the boom. 

On a commanding hight on the west side of the river 
is Cozzens' Hotel, brilliant with hundreds of lighted 
windows ; and just above, and within a mile of West 
Point Landing, is the pier where, at nine o'clock, we 
made fast for the night. 

At eight o'clock on Friday morning we cast off from 



32 THE KIVER AND THE SOUND. 

the pier, and moved up to West Point Landing. A 
messenger had been sent forward with a request to per- 
mit our party to land and visit the grounds; but he at 
first received a flat refusal, in conformity to a rule adopted 
as a protection against the New York roughs and loose 
women whose visits had become a nuisance. On being 
informed, however, that we represented the eminent 
gi'avity of Massachusetts, and had got West Point on 
the brain, the commanding officer . at once granted our 
request. 

The United States Military Academy buildings and 
grounds occupy an area of about fifty acres, on a plateau 
160 to 180 feet above the river. This plateau, or the 
northeasterly corner of it, forms a projecting point, around 
which the river makes a short turn to the left, and then 
resumes its southerly course ; and being on the west side of 
the river its very appropriate name is West Point. 

The grounds are reached from the landing by a steep 
road cut in the rocky hillside. On the smooth, perpendic- 
ular face of this cut, appears "Bunker Hill, 1775," in 
deeply sunk letters nearly four feet high. It rather looked 
to us like an attempt, on the j^art of New York, to steal 
Massachusetts thunder. 

To my mind, the most beautiful and interesting por- 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 33 

tion of the Hudson river is that which may be seen at 
one sweep of the eye about West Point, and for nine 
miles dkectly up the river. These \iews from the north- 
erly extremity of the plateau contain as much of grandeur 
and historic interest as I expect ever to find in one land- 
scape; and they well repaid me — and many others, I 
believe — ^for the entire expense of the trip. Before us is the 
river, mth its smoothly gliding craft, its romantic islands 
and its winding shore beyond. To the north are the 
Highlands in all their glory, and between them stretches 
the river away to ]!^ewbm'gh, indistinctly seen at a distance 
of nine miles. At the northeast angle of the plateau, 
fully commanding this pass, is Fort Clinton, an earth- 
work thrown up in 1778, and on the extreme point is 
Roe's Hotel. Opposite the angle is Constitution Island, 
wliich was heavily fortified during the revolution; and 
remains of its old batteries may still be seen. A boom 
was also tlu'own across the river, between the island and 
the Point, consisting of an immense chain buoyed up 
on logs, each link of the chain weighing 120 lbs. A 
portion of the chain is still preserved here, and we after- 
wards saw three links of it at the Redwood Library 
in Xewi^ort. 

To the west rises, as a back-ground, Mount Independ- 



34 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

ence, far up whose rough precipitous side — nearly 600 
feet above the river — stand the gray ruins of Fort 
Putnam ; and at the base of the mountain, and looking 
out upon the Academy grounds through groves of shade 
trees, are the residences of the officers. At the southerly 
side of the plateau, and at right angles with the river, is 
the range of Academy buildings, attractive in their archi- 
tecture and surroundings. The westerly half of the 
area thus enclosed is somewhat rolling, and is intersected 
with walks and dotted with fine shade trees. The easterly 
portion is the parade ground, and is about as level as a 
floor. 

Among the objects of interest are the monument and 
garden of Kosciusko ; and the momimental statue of 
Major General Sedgwick, who fell at Spottsylvania, and 
for whom the Grand Army post in Westboro' is named. 
The statue is in bronze, standing on a granite pedestal, 
and represents the General in full military dress and 
attitude. In a grove of elms are several trophy guns, 
which were ca]3tured during the revolution, the war of 
1812-15, the Mexican war, and the late rebellion. 

The whole neighborhood abounds with interesting mili- 
tary associations. Here it was that in 1780, Benedict 
Arnold, of hated memory, assumed command, and soon 



THE KIVER AND THE SOUND. 35 

after sought to betray his trust. On the opposite shore 
is the house he occupied as headquarters, and where he 
received the news of Andi'e's capture. Near it, in the 
bank of the river, is a little cove, whence Arnold started in 
his hasty flight to the Vulture, which lay below, leaving his 
wife to entertain the unsuspecting Washington. Here 
were educated many traitors of om- own time— among them 
Robert E. Lee, Beam-egard, the two Johnsons and others ; 
but here, too, were trained up for the future salvation of the 
Republic, brave and faithful officers like Grant, Sherman, 
Sheridan and many others. 

There are about 250 cadets here now, and their educa- 
tion costs the government five thousand dollars each. They 
were in camp when we were there, as they always are 
during the months of July and August. 

Shortly after our arrival there was an artillery di-ill and 
practice-firing by the femous Reno Battery. Firing 
during the evolutions had been omitted for about a fort- 
night, but was practised to-day for om- special entertain- 
ment. The precision with which the various movements of 
this battery are performed by both men and horses, is 
something remai'kable, the latter seeming to understand 
the bugle calls by which the orders are given, fully as well 
as the men. 



36 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

There was also some taroret firino^ from the water bat- 
tery north of the Point. The target was stationed across 
the bend in the river, and the balls could be distinctly 
seen to strike in the bank behind it. Each discharge of 
the gun was followed by one of the most singular echoes 
mortal man ever heard. It is caused by the hights and 
valleys which skirt the river above, and sounds very much 
like rip-rip-rip-rip^ a dozen times sharply and quickly 
repeated. 

At ten o'clock we retm-ned to the boat, and proceeded 
on our upward trip. After passing the double bend in 
the river, forming the Point, we came into the heart of 
the Highlands, which rise abruptly on either side, from 
twelve hundred to fifteen hundred feet in hight. Among 
the tallest of these peaks are Cro'-Nest, the Storm King, 
Mount Taurus, Butter Hill and Break-Neck Hill. On the 
northerly slope of the Storm King is "Idlewild," the 
home of the late N. P. Willis. 

We made no stops after leaving West Point, till we 
reached the city of Hudson, the farthest point of our trip, 
at half-past fom* o'clock p. m. 

The arrival at Hudson of such an expedition as ours, 
came very near astonishing the natives. In an extended 
notice of the event the Hudson Star of the next morning 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 37 

sj^oke of "the large and beautiful Sound steamer, City of 
Neio London^ which made its unexpected apijearance in 
the channel opposite the city yesterday afternoon, creating 
quite an excitement ; for never before in our remembrance 
has a vessel of this class landed at our docks or passed 
up the river." 

We had between three and four hours to spend in 
Hudson, and nearly all of our party improved the time in 
looking about the place. Most of us walked, but Capt. 
G. H. Power, a prominent citizen, hastily mustered two or 
three carriages and placed them at the disposal of as 
many of our party as they would accommodate. The 
officers of om- expedition were assm-ed by the Mayor of 
the city, that had he known of our coming we should have 
had a reception worthy of the occasion. 

Hudson is a quaint old Dutch town, (or "city,") 115 

miles from New York. It was named after Hendi-ick 

Hudson, who discovered the noble river on which it 

stands, and who supposed, till after he passed this point, 

that he had found the long-sought " Northwest Passage" to 

India. It was incorporated as a city eighty-four years 

ago, and there are but four charters in the State which 

ante-date it. The population stands at about 8,000, and 

there it has probably stood for the last fifty years. It is 

4 



38 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

only a few miles from the traditional scene of Rip Yan 
Winkle's long nap; and it seems as though the same 
sleepy sj^ell had brooded over the city ever since. 

Of the chm'ches here, two are very fine and nearly new, 
one being of freestone, and one of pressed brick ; but 
most of the buildings have an ancient, dull look ; on the 
principal business street, as elsewhere, they are mainly 
two-story wooden structures. The only hotel I saw looked 
very like an unpretentious country tavern ; and one bar- 
ber's shop and one three-cent news stand, were the 
reward of my long search for those land-marks of civili- 
zation. 

Just north of the landing is a bluff nearly 100 feet above 
the river ; and on its summit is a public square and prom- 
enade, handsomely laid out and ornamented with trees and 
shrubbery. From this look-out we had a charming ^dew 
of the river below, and of the country along the opposite 
shore, with the pictm^esque Catskill Mountains as a back- 
gi'ound. A portion of the city rises to a still greater 
hight than this plateau. 

At about sunset the steamer swung off into the channel 
and our homeward trip commenced. As we moved away 
we made the hills echo with cheers for the city, and for 
Capt. Power and others, which were responded to by the 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 39 

crowds on the wharves and Promenade Hill, with steam 
whistle accompaniments froin the workshoj^s and locomo- 
tives near the river. A party of boys who were preparing 
to bathe in one of the docks, hastily completed the dis- 
robing process, and joined in the general commotion by 
swinging their shirts aloft and dancing and yelling mth 
desperate energy. 

The Star says, in concluding the article before referred 
to : " The whole affair was of so pleasant a chai'acter that 
it will be long remembered by those who had the pleasitre 
of being spectators." 

After a delightful moonlight ride of fom- hom-s, we 
reached the wharf at Poughkeepsie and made fast for the 
night. During this passage, many of the j^arty passed the 
time on the decks in singing snatches of songs, and in 
conversation and games, while others made themselves 
comfortable in the cabm below, with cards, stories and the 
piano. 

Soon after daylight Satm-day morning, we took a stroll 
about town. 

Unlike Hudson, Poughkeej^sie is a mde-awake, thriving 
place. It has been incorporated as a city but fifteen years ; 
yet the population is more than t^^dce that of Hudson. 
The bulk of the city is built on a table land 150 to 200 



40 THE RIVER AXD THE SOUND. 

feet above the river, with a slope more or less steep to the 
river bank. Next the river the streets are diity and un- 
attractive, but as they go back to higher ground they 
rapidly improve. Many of them are ornamented with fine 
shade trees. I passed through two or three streets, the 
carriage-ways of which were completely over-arched by 
double rows of tulip poplars. 

Here are some of the finest mansions in the State, and 
the extensive grounds surrounding them are thrown open 
to the public. 

Several important manufacturing establishments are lo- 
cated here — one of them the famous Yassar Brewery. 
Vassar is dead, but his name will be perpetuated by the 
extensive female college, standing in the easterly part of 
the city, and which was founded and endowed by his 
munificent liberality. 

There are other noted educational institutions here, 
among them Eastman's Commercial College, one depart- 
ment of which a few of us visited, and saw some of the 
largest pen draAvings ever executed. 

South of the city is the residence of S. F. B. Morse, the 
inventor of the telegraph. 

At eight o'clock, having taken in a fresh supply of milk 
and green corn, in exchange for three or four delinquent 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 41 

members of om* company, we left Poughkeepsie, and in two 
hours reached the charming httle city of Newburgh, on 
the west side of the river. 

The gi-eat centre of attraction at Newburgh is an old 
stone house which Washington occupied as his head- 
quarters dm-ing the latter part of the revolution ; and we 
visited it in full force. The property is owned and kept in 
order by the State of New York. The house stands on a 
lofty terrace, facing the river, of which there is an un- 
obstructed \iew. Cannon are planted on the lawn in front, 
and near by is a flag-staff, and a broT^^istone monument 
in memory of Uzall Knapp, the last of Washington's Life 
Guards. 

One of the rooms of this venerable building was used 
by Washington for the transaction of business ; here he 
issued his proclamation for the cessation of hostilities, 
March 19th, 1783; and here, on the thu'd of November 
following, he disbanded the American army. In the cen- 
tre of a room is a stick of timber pointed with iron, which 
was part of a cheveaux de frise sunk in the river in 
1780, to prevent the passage of British war sloops; here, 
too, are antique guns of monstrous length, swords, knap- 
sacks, saddles, wooden canteens, an old battle flag, conti- 

4.* 



42 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

nental di'esses ; and a cocked hat worn by Robert Waugh 
from 1760 to 1816. 

In another room is a case containing a collection of old 
books, continental money, powder horns, part of a mnsket 
used and broken at Bunker Hill, and many other articles. 
Hanging against the Avail is a Hessian officer's boot of 
curious proportions — the length of leg being 14 inches, 
its cu-cumference, both at top and ankle, 21 J inches, and 
bottom of heel 4J inches across. Near it hangs a 
captured scarf of Santa Anna. Here, too, under the old 
fashioned, enormous stone chimney, hangs an ancient tea 
kettle, which once did duty for the Father of his Country. 
In the thu'd room is a lock of Washington's hair and 
a piece of his coffin, his military orders, proclamations, 
rolls, and other documents ; also, an ancient sofa, and 
the piano of Gen. Clinton, the first ever brought into 
Orange County. 

Those of our party who were left behind at Poughkeep- 
sie here rejoined us, and we proceeded on our way to New 
York, arriving there at five o'clock p. m. 

No Puritanical scruples concerning Saturday night 
amusements hamper the New York conscience, and the 
theatres are in full blast on that evening. Being among the 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 43 

Romans, nearly 150 of ns ventiu'ed to do as the Romans 
do, and "went in." We visited Booth's new theatre, 
whose imposing exterior of hammered New England gran- 
ite is eclipsed by its gorgeous interior finish, decorations 
' and upholstery. It is a Dramatic Palace, and probably 
has no superior in this country. 

The play was "Rip Van Winkle," — an appropriate 
finale to om* Hudson River trip. It was having a great 
" run " at the time we were there, with Joseph Jefferson as 
the principal character. It was specially Tv^itten for him 
by Bourcicault ; and his consummate impersonation of the 
easy, good-natured, good-for-nothing Dutchman, must fully 
realize the author's conception of the character. Says a 
critic: "From first to last he po];trays, mth exquisite 
touches of humor and pathos, a character which is un- 
fortunately too fimiiliar to us in the common walks of life ; 
and succeeds in showing the truly human elements of a 
tender, lo\ing nature under all the squalor, debasement 
and ^vi-etchedness of a dissipated career." No other actor 
attempts this version of the legend, as indeed no other 
can, the play being controlled by copy-right. 

Sunday in New York! Its sights and sounds are 
enough to set a straight-laced Massachusetts man's teeth 



44 THE EIVEE AND THE SOUND. 

on edge. Before our somewhat late breakfast was over, 
well filled excm-sion steamers were sailing gaily past us, 
bound for Hoboken, the Elysian Fields, Coney Island and 
other Sunday resorts. Theii* passengers, I should judge, 
were not particularly eminent for piety. Bands of music 
were on board, and on the upper deck of one of the boats 
were several cotillon sets in full swing, under the inspira- 
tion of some excellent but rather profane music. 

Religious services were held on om* steamer day and 
evening, which were well attended ; but many of om* party 
thought then- opportunity for seeing Sodom in its Sunday 
clothes, ought to be improved, and governed themselves 
accordingly. 

Here and there, in convenient places, a game of base ball 
or some other equally devotional exercise was in progi'ess ; 
drinking saloons and Jew clothing shoj^s were di'iving a 
thrifty business; and in some sections of the city fniit 
stands were almost as frequent as the street corners. 

Dm'ing the afternoon and evening a lai'ge majority of 
om- party visited Central Park, the great popular Sunday 
resort of both citizens and strangers ; and no better invest- 
ment of time or money can be made by sight-seers than in 
riding over its broad, smooth, winding avenues, strolling 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 45 

through its cozy, retired walks, or inspecting its costly and 
elaborate works of art, principal among which are the 
Bridges and Terrace. 

The park is two and a half miles long and half a mile 
wide, and contains 862 acres, nearly one fourth of which 
is water. The two reservoks contain 142 acres, and the 
Lake, one of the most attractive features of the landscape, 
contains twenty acres. There are nine and a half miles of 
carriage roads, five and a half miles of bridle roads and 
twenty-seven miles of walks. 

Here at least the banditti horde, known as hackmen, 
who prey upon the public with their swindling charges, 
are kept at bay. Carriages owned and run by the city, 
and capable of seating twelve persons, make regulai* trips 
around the Park. It requii'es about an hour and a half to 
complete the circuit, and the very reasonable fare is 
twenty-five cents. If the driver is loquacious, as om'S was, 
he will call attention to points of special interest. At the 
upper end of the Park we had a \aew of the celebrated 
High Bridge at Harlem. 

The City also provides boats at the Lake, which will 
take you the chcuit of its romantic, winding shore for ten 
cents. On our trip we passed several bridges, under one 
of which the oarsman gave the gunwale of the boat a 



46 THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 

smart rap with bis oar, and the echo sounded like the re- 
j)ort of a pistol. 

Opposite the Park, at the corner of Seventh Avenue 
and Fifty-ninth street, is the "Central Park Garden," con- 
sisting of a large concert hall, from which a diinking 
saloon opens on one side, a smoking room on the other, 
and a " Garden " in the rear. The garden is of somewhat 
limited area, and contains a fountain, a little shi'ubbery, 
two tiers of stalls, and some tables and chairs. Concerts 
of instrumental music are given here every evening of the 
week, and on Sunday afternoon, by Theodore Thomas's 
unrivalled band ; and the delightful strains can be listened 
to in the hall, or from the garden. The hall is also pro- 
\dded mth tables ; and the bibulously inclined can have 
then- brandy and a straw, or a whisky straight, brought 
to them either in the hall or the garden, by one of the 
waiters in attendance. This way of spending Sunday 
would not be warmly encom-aged in Westboro', but in 
New York they think differently. 

We left New York at midnight, bound for Newport. 
Our route lay outside of Block Island, and early in the 
forenoon the long roll of the sea, "right from Europe," 
was reached. Trouble now commenced ; and for awhile the 
rebellious stomachs of about one half the party had it all 



THE RIVER A^T> THE SOUND. 47 

tlieii' o^m wuy. Some of the victims spitefully pitched 
theu- recent breakfasts overboard, while others only laid 
back and looked mmtterable things. After two or three 
hom-s of this " sport,"— (it teas sport to some of us,)— 
we came to smoother water, and all on board enjoyed a 
lovely sail up Newport harbor. As we passed Lime Rock, 
the home of the heroine, Ida Lewis, that famous lady 
made her appeai'ance, and waved a welcome with her 
handkerchief Of course we replied as gallantly as we 
knew how. At half past two in the afternoon we reached 

the wharf 

A large number of our party immediately chartered 
some sail boats, (which generally lay at the whaif, waiting 
for such jobs,) and hastened off to Lime Rock to pay then- 
respects to Ida Lewis. 

The " Rock," which rises out of the water in the south- 
erly part of the harbor, is a very small affair. The only 
dwelling upon it,— and in fact the only one for which 
there is any room,— is that which Ida's father occupies; 
and this constitutes a portion of the ''light-house," of 
which he is the keeper. 

It was from this rock that the heroine put off in her boat 
to the rescue of drowning men — eleven in all, on five 
different occasions : the first being about ten years ago, 



48 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

when she was eighteen years old, and the last in March 
of this year. 

Near the landing is a boat-house, overhanging the water, 
in which is kept the boat built for and presented to Miss 
Ida as a testimonial to her heroism. The boat is an 
elegant affiiii', and " they say " its owner can handle the 
oars with grace and vim. 

Ida has an eye to business, by keeping on hand a supply 
of photographs, of which we each bought a copy ; and 
some who received a piece of scrip from Ida's hand, in 
change, tucked it carefully away, as a more valuable keep- 
sake than the picture. Many also picked up and brought 
away fragments of stone with which the rock is strewn. 

Before returning to the steamer, we were taken over 
to Fort Adams. This is one of largest fortifications in 
Uncle Samuel's dominions, and mounts some very heav}^ 
guns. It is connected by a subterranean passage with a 
redoubt in the rear, so that in case of necessity the gai*- 
rison can make a safe retreat and blow up the fort. 
Some of our party traversed this passage, which has to 
be done in a stooping posture. On coming out of the 
fort we passed the guard house, where a victim of mili- 
tary despotism was pining behind a grated door. How 
we pitied that poor fellow ! but we were powerless to help 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 49 

him, and could only shake our fists in indignation at the 
U. S. Government for this undeserved treatment of one 
of its faithful defenders. I say "undeserved," because 
we had it from the victim's own lips that he "hadn't 
done nothing." 

Newport is noted chiefly as a resort of fashion dming 
the "heated term." There are some fine hotels here, 
besides private cottages, at which this class of patrons is 
supplied with all the luxm-ies of refinement and wealth. 
The principal hotels are the Ocean and Atlantic Houses, 
on Bellevue Avenue. The former is of magnificent pro- 
portions, with a broad and lofty portico, in which the 
" ton " delight to lounge. Directly in front of this por- 
tico is a showy band stand, which is occupied every 
pleasant afternoon, during the season, by first-class musi- 
cians. We had the good luck to hear Gilmore's band, 
led by Arbuckle. 

The great attraction at Newport is Bellevue Avenue, 

which is lined mth elegant residences, and in the latter 

pai-t of the afternoon swarms with " tom-n-outs " of every 

description, from the majestic family carriage di'awn by 

" four-in-hand," bedizened with trimmings, and attended by 

liveried lackeys, down to the smallest basket phaston, more 

or less nobby m style. The coachmen and footmen of 

5 



50 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

all these tourn-outs sit bolt u^Dright ; the latter with folded 
arms, as dignified as Julius CaBsar, especially if they 
happen to belong to the African persuasion. A new 
road has been built along* by the beach, in continuation 
of the Avenue, Avhich makes a very excellent and attract- 
ive drive. Six dollars gave five of us a ride over this 
Avenue and back, and we saw that worth of the elephant. 

Among the other features of interest in this city, are 
the Beach, almost as hard and smooth as a floor ; the old 
Stone Mill, ^o called, an odd-looking structure in Touro 
Park, whose origin and use are a mystery ; the statue of 
Commodore Perry ; the Jewish Cemetery, with its massive 
stone gateway ; the Redwood Library, and the State House. 

On Tuesday afternoon we steamed down to Rocky Point 
for a clam-bake ; but as no provision had -been made for 
such a crowd, some of us do not know to this day what 
a baked clam tastes like. We had a fine trip, though, 
and enjoyed the romantic surroundings of the Point much, 

Om- last evening on the boat, as we laid at the wharf, 
was spent in a most social and agreeable manner. One 
of the featm-es was the introduction of a new variety of 
pears — a pair of black babies, — in a nicely covered 
basket. During the evening, several complimentary reso- 
lutions were passed, and an original hymn was 'read and 



THE EIYER AND THE SOUND. 51 

sung, all which are published in another part of this book. 

At midnight we sailed for Kew London ; and after 
looking that place over an horn* or two, proceeded to Nor- 
wich, reaching the wharf in one horn* short of seven days 
from the time we left it outward bound. As we passed 
up the river an old lady stood at her door, and swung her 
liege lord's nether garment as a "welcome home." 

Before landing we gave a series of blow-out cheers for 
the Grand Carnival of Pleasure and everybody and eveiy- 
thiug connected with it. 

C. H. Pierce. 



LETTERS 

Originally published in the Worcester Daily Spy. 



Steamer "City of Kew London," 

New Haven, August 11, 1869. 



^^ 




E promised the friends we left behind that they 
^^W^ should hear from us through the medium of the 
Spi/. We took an early start this morning from your, 
our, dear old city, and made the trip by rail to Norwich, 
on time. Our friend Turner, the agent, had made ample 
accommodations for the party, and was attentive to our 
wants until we had passed into the hands of the faithful 
conductor of the train. We reached om- steamer about 
nine a. m., and found all things in readiness for us, with 
the officers on board ready to receive us, and make our 
trip pleasant. 

We found the steamer in excellent condition ; we could 
ask for nothing more satisfactory. We have plenty of 
room, although our company is what would be called 
large for an eight-day excursion trip. We number over 



4 

I 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND, 53 

two hundred and sixty; and have come to the con- 
chision that we have a first-rate company. We have 
over sixty persons outside of the city of Worcester, 
representing the towns of Northampton, Northboro', 
Holden, Charlton, Uxbridge, West Boylston, Leices- 
ter, Whitinsville, Millbury, West Brookfiekl, etc. The 
oldest man among the company is Cheney Hatch, of 
Leicester, the quarter-of-a-century cashier of Leicester 
Bank. The youngest man, I should think from appear- 
ance, is G. W. Wheeler, our city treasm-er. At any rate 
I should judge that most of the company were living 
over then- young days. If one day's trip on the salt Avater 
has such a renovating effect, I know not what may be 
expected when the eight days are up. We certainly have 
a good natm-ed company. The trip on the steamer to 
this place was truly delightful. We all enjoyed it very 
much, and not a "sea-sick" soul could be found among 
the company. We reached the delightful "City of Elms" 
about five this afternoon. Of course we all must take a 
look at the place, to admhe its beauty. 

There is no particular event worth recording, except 
the immense excitement caused by the sale at auction 
of om- state-rooms. The crowd around our auctioneer. 

Glazier, was immense. We could not realize that money 

5* 



54 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

was so plenty and business so brisk, after leaving Wor- 
cester so lately. The "bridal chamber " was first oflfered. 
It brought the small sum of $40. Although there were 
several lately married couples present, the room was taken 
by one of our Worcester friends who had the matrimo- 
nial knot tied years ago. The last room sold brought 
$42.50. The lucky buyer was from Northam]3ton. We 
realized about $1,000 from state-rooms. We defy the 
gi*eat Erie railroad Fisk to beat this. He has found a 
rival this time. 

Now, dear friends at home, we mil close by saying 
to you that we are all right, and hope to go ahead as 
well as we have begun. We stay here over night, and 
to-morrow morning we ex23ect to wake up in New York 
city, to have a look at the Park and other wonderful 
sights of that heated city. 

You shall hear from us daily, if the Spy is willing. 

W. M. 




THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 55 

West Point, N. Y., August 13. 

HE steamer City of New London has reached 
this place with the "Coit Excursionists" all right. 
We prolonged oiu' stay at l^ew Haven somewhat, and 
concluded to give Bridgeport the go-by in order to reach 
New York city early Thursday morning. It was the 
first trij) of many of our party to this noted city, strange 
as it may seem to hundi-eds of your readers who make 
frequent visits to Gotham during the year. 

We anived in New York at nine a. m. on the 
12th inst., and, notwithstanding the scorching atmos- 
phere, landed and proceeded in force to Central Park. 
We "did" the park thoroughly, and, as far as mem- 
bers are concerned, the heart of your old Commonwealth 
was never better rejH-esented there before. We returned 
to the steamer at fom* p. m., laden with j^eaches and 
ready for our trip up the Hudson. New York is 
flooded with peaches, — larger, finer, su23erior everyway 
to the things that are sold for peaches in Worcester, 
and they are very much cheaper, too. Genuine peaches, 
luscious and beautiful, were selling at 75 cents and 
$1.00 per bushel. 

Our sail up the Hudson river was delightful. I wiM 



56 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

not attempt a description of the magnificent scenery. 
Hundi'eds have attempted to do so, but all have 
failed to do the subject justice. Those of our party 
who have made this trip before, found the Hudson 
river scenery more beautiful than ever before. Those 
who are here for the first time wonder why all Worces- 
ter does not hasten to N"ew York to make this charm- 
ing voyage. We had intended to tarry one night at 
West Point, but the authorities here who haA^e been 
much annoyed by excursion parties, in the past, have 
put a sto23 to such visitations, and now refuse to allow 
any excursion boats or parties to land at their wharf 
The commander, however, consented to let us take a 
view of the j^remises. I need not attempt to give a 
description of the place, or what "Uncle Sam" is 
doing here to train the young "how to shoot." Every 
one understands the matter better than I do. Suftice it to 
say, that a more delightful or appropriate place for the mili- 
tary academy could not have been found. Our whole 
party came to the conclusion, after a visit to this place, 
that it was worth the Avhole trip to have seen West 
Point and Aaew the scenery, and witness the di'ess pa- 
rade of the cadets. We think they excel even our 
State Guard ii^ military evolutions. We stopped but a 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 57 

few hours, ha\dng previously landed for the night about 
two miles below here. 

We found Hudson a very j)retty place. It contains 
about 8,000 inhabitants, who appeared to regi'et very 
much that they had not been informed that we were 
to pay them a \asit; they desired to give us a pub- 
lic reception. One generous and public spirited man, 
named George H. Power, came aboard as soon as we 
touched the landing place, and, though a stranger to 
all of us, furnished us which two carriages in which 
to ride about the place. We spent the next night 
at Poughkeepsie, before leaving which place we bought 
some cans of milk and a cart load of green corn. As 
we have two doctors on board, our friends at home 
deed not be alarmed. 

Our rations, under the direction of friend Glazier, 
our steward, are ample in quality and quantity. We 
are living high, and sleeping all around. Our evenings 
are among the haj^piest of our hom's. We are rich 
in musical talent, and, have also a great variety 
of speaking talent. Then of course we have some 
harmless amusements for the young. On the whole, 
we think we have made a decided improvement on 
last year's trip. In fact, we are already contemj^lating 



58 THE RIVER AISD THE SOUND. 

an excursion, next year, to Europe! Our experience 
will give us advantage over " green hands ! " 

I have no cases of " sea sickness " to report as yet ; 
but next Monday night, look out for this part of the 
programme. At that time we shall probably have 
passed Point Judith, on our way to XeAV^Jort. 

By the way, in the list of towns represented in the 
"Coit Excursion," Westboro' should not have been left 
out. There are eleven from that place, who have be 
haved, so far, exceedingly well, and could not be spared 
from the party. av. m. 



On board "City of Neav London," 
New York, August 14, 1869. 

WW E left Poughkeepsie this forenoon about eight 
^^^up o'clock; we found the place quite a thrivmg 
city; there are many places of note, all of which your 
readers are familiar ^vith; therefore I make no attempt 
at description of what we saw there. Perhaps I ought 
to mention Yassar college; many of our party paid a 
visit to this celebrated place ; they describe it as very beau- 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 59 

tiful and extensive. I only saw the lager beer brewery 
where the money was made that built the college. The 
brewery is certainly veiy extensive, and I should judge 
that about as much misery might come from this brew- 
eiy as good would come fi-om the college. Perhaps the 
man's conscience is very much eased by the fact that 
although he may get his money in a mean way, he is 
gi\ing it for good pm-poses; in other words, attempting 
to serve God and the devil at one and the same time. 

Perhaps I may be wandering from my subject, which 
is an attempt to give a description of our journey 
from place to place, as well as incidents of travel. We 
stopped for about two hom-s this forenoon at Xewburgh, 
a very interesting place about sixty miles from New 
York city. Om* party visited what was once the head- 
quarters of General Washmgton. The building is sit- 
uated on a high 23oint of land, commanding a beautiful 
view of the Hudson and the scenery surrounding it. 
Here in this venerable building is found much that 
would interest the historian as well as the lover of 
the "father of his country," the beloved Washington. 
It was here that Washington proclaimed the cessation 
of hostilities, March 19th, 1783, and disbanded the 
American army November 3d, 1783. Here ai*e found 



60 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

Washington's chaii', wiitten orders to his army, a lock 
of his hair, a piece of his coffin, his looking-glass, — in 
fact, a great variety of articles which doubtless once 
belonged to him.. We came back to om* steamboat, 
feeling that we had added another Imk to the chain 
of memory that makes this trip one of the most pleas- 
ant occasions of ovu' history. 

We made no other landing on the Hudson. We 
are all delighted with the trip on the river. All agree 
that Ave could not have selected any other route that 
would have pleased us all so well as this. It is a 
fortunate affair that the committee of arrangements 
have been so fortunate as to please a company of 
two hundred and sixty or more people. 

We arrived at pier No. 40, New York city, at five 
o'clock this afternoon; here we exj^ect to have our 
steamer "made fast" until Monday morning, at which 
time we start for Newport. Our company scattered 
themselves pretty generally through the city, about as 
soon as we were fairly landed, some to see dear friends, 
others to see the sights, others, we should judge by 
the way they came back loaded, to get peaches, melons, 
pears, and other good things to eat. For the credit of 
the whole company, let me now say, that I have not 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 61 

seen or smelt a di'oi) of intoxicating liquor since we 
started from home, among om- company. I take great 
pride in publishing this fact to the world, and espec- 
ially to that part of it who think it necessary to use 
it as a medicine, or in order to enjoy a social excm-- 
sion. We know, or think, that a pleasanter or happier 
party cannot be found. 



w. M. 




Steajmer "City of New London," 
Neio York, August 15, 1869. 

EW YORK cannot be looked upon as a de- 
skable place in which to spend a hot, un- 
comfortable Sunday. With its dust and tm-moil, its 
endless excitement, and constant flow of brain-crazing 
experience and incident, the vast metropolis cannot be 
viewed, even on week days, as an in\dting point for 
pleasm'e seekers, such as form our goodly company. 
Had our committee of arrangements been able to fore- 
see the height to which the mercmy would attain, 

this portion of our time would, doubtless, have been 

6 



62 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

spent in some cooler port. However, the cruise, thus 
far, has been fraught with so much of real pleasure 
for all om- company, that we mllingly overlook the 
discomforts of om* experience here. 

This morning, religious services, of a most interest- 
ing nature, were held on boai'd our steamer, conducted 
by our chaplain. Rev. G. J. Sanger, assisted by Rev. 
Mr. Cobb, of Northampton ; the presence of both of 
which gentlemen in our midst has added much to the 
charm of our voyage. Chaj^lain Sanger, basing his 
discourse on the most poetical text: "O, that I had 
the wings of a dove ; I would fly away and be at 
rest," — Ps. Ixv. : 6, — preached a most excellent and ap- 
propriate sermon. Remembering that his hearers had 
sought, in thus leaving their homes and business in 
the old Commonwealth, a few days of enjoyment in 
rest from their accustomed labors, the speaker grasped 
the idea, and made the central thought of his addi'ess 
the true rest for which the soul of man craves, and 
how that rest may be found. A rej^ort of the sermon 
would hardly be in place here, but it was a most pleas- 
ing discom'se for the listeners. 

The musical portions of the exercises were conducted 
by Mr. G. W. Elkins, of Worcester, while Miss Emma 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 63 

Upham presided at the piano. This, as may well be 
judged, formed a most pieasing featm-e of the services. At 
the close of these Sabbath exercises, nearly all of our party 
went on shore, ostensibly to attend the city chm-ches. 
The "smartest" and most popular clergymen, and the 
most magnificent church edifices were sought by many; 
but, in many cases, the houses of worship were found 
closed, and the would-be attendants found their way 
to Central Park and other points of interest about the 
city. In these warm days the morals of the metropo- 
lis, never too good, are left to run themselves, while 
the spiritual advisers, folloAving in the footsteps of Rev. 
Mr. Murray and other pleasure seekers, with valise, 
gun and fishing rod, travel off to the Adii'ondacks, or, 
more soberly inclined, quietly rusticate by the seaside. 

As we walked over the city, we found quite a number 
of stores open, while the grogshops seemed driving an 
excellent business. This will, doubtless, sound strange 
to Massachusetts ears, as it looked strange to our Massa- 
chusetts eyes. It might i*easonably be judged that the 
class of people in New York who usually attend chm'ch 
on the Sabbath, have, either followed the footsteps of 
their pastors and "taken a vacation," or, in the absence 
of their preachers, degenerated into Sabbath breakers. 



64 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

Lager beer saloons were crowded with thirsty customers ; 
steamers, laden with pleasure-seekers, sailed up and down 
the river, bound to shore resorts or to the banks of the 
Hudson ; bands of music could be heard, and dancing 
parties seen on the decks of these steamers, as they 
bore their thoughtless burdens of Ncav York's men and 
women out over the waters ; ball clubs were found play- 
ing "the national game," even in some of the public 
streets; while ferry boats, steam cars, horse cars, and 
omnibuses, all loaded to their fullest extent, pre- 
sented scenes which might well appear strange to our 
party, reared as they had been with such different views 
of life's duties, and of the Sabbath and its observance. 

We do not claim perfection for the old Bay State, but 
we certainly believe that her customs and her record of 
daily life do not savor so strongly of the "jiit" as do 
those of Gotham. In spite of the corruption manifest 
on eveiy hand, we have endeavored to sustain the name 
and credit of our honored city and State. 

Gathering on our steamer at night, we again joined 
in religious services. Rev. Mr. Cobb preached a practical 
sermon, which was listened to with deep interest by his 
hearers, from the text: "Be cereful for nothing," — Phil. 
vi. : 4; — and he presented many truths with force and 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 65 

distinctness, which, if applied to oiu- daily manner of 

living, might work much good. The evening services 

were a fit and pleasing close for the events of the day. 

Taking all things together, in sj^ite of the oppressive 

heat and the discomforts of the day, we shall assuredly 

mark this as one of the most interesting and profitable 

thus far spent. It is our intention now to cast off from 

New York at midnight to-night, and, if wind and weather 

prove fan-, you will soon hear from us, with our steamer 

anchored in Newport harbor. 

w. isi. 




Stea:mer "City of New London." 
JVewport, August 16, 1869. 

?IGHT glad were om* party to leave the city of 
New York. We certainly shall not wish to stop 
again over Sunday in hot weather at a New York dock. 
We left there soon after midnight, this morning; the 
weather, we found, had suddenly changed, or we had been 
near that hot place we read of The sailing was fine and 

delightful ; all were as gay as larks and as hungry as 

6* 



66 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

sharks, waiting as patiently as possible for breakfast. We 
all had eaten a very hearty meal, and we could see the 
squint in the steward's eye, as much as to say, you won't 
keep that breakfast long. The party crowded to the front 
part of the deck to view the ocean scenery, and also to 
keep an eye on those that might first give in to the rising 
of the waves and the rocking and rolling of the boat. 
Soon it was observed that now and then one of the party 
Avould begin to grow pale about the mouth ; then, soon, a 
zig-zag movement towards th« railing of the boat to look 
over ; then some friend would step up to hold the head 

gently over the railing, then ; it was then time for 

the well ones to shout, sing, and laugh ; this was kept up 
for about an hour and a half, the squad at the side of the 
boat increasing in numbers, till nearly all the party had 
successfully gone through the usual exercises on such in- 
teresting occasions. So few were unaffected that for a 
while it was difficult to find persons enough to hold the 
heads over the side. This state of things lasted for two 
long hours; soon after the steward brought up a few 
bushels of crackers, with plenty of tea and coffee, and the 
trouble was over ; we resumed our several places, and 
"Richard was himself again." Well, it might have been 
interesting to the lookers-on to witness the scene, but it 



THE EIVER AND THE SOUND. 67 

was an}i;hmg but fine to the participants. It is no easy- 
matter to describe "seasickness;" it can be better felt 
than described. 

We arrived in this place about half-past two o'clock this 
p. i\r. Newport is full; the hotels are full; the usual 
amount of flu-ting and snobbing are seen ; the splendid 
turn-outs and drives may be seen on the avenue in the 
early evening. Many of our party hired carriages and took 
a di'ive "around the new road," which is about nine miles. 
It is a very pleasant ride of about two hours as the hacks 
drive here, and it is very fine ; most of the magnificent 
residences of the place are found on this road. People who 
come here have not gone thi'ough the programme till they 
have been over this road. 

We leave to-morrow for Rocky Point for a clam bake, 
and return here in the afternoon to stop over night. 
Wednesday morning we leave for "sweet home." We 
have a party with us from Princeton who should not be 
omitted from the record. As we become more acquainted 
with each other the attachments are stronger; and we 
have none in our party we would like to part with till our 
excursion is over, and the time comes for us to return to 
our usual avocations. w. m. 



6S THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 




HOME AGAIN! 

Worcester, August 18. 

,T home again ! We are gratified at the great suc- 
cess of the excursion. We took our departui-e 
from Ne\vT^)ort at an early horn* this morning, and arrived 
at the picturesque city of Nor^\TLch at about 9 a. m. 
Here we made a stop for two hom's or more before 
proceeding further on our homeward jom-ney, and finally 
reached Worcester at half-past two in the afternoon. 

Of course we could not break up this large and interest 
ing party without expressing our gratitude to some of those 
who had contributed to the success of om* excursion. 
Last night we had om* farewell meeting in the cabin, which 
was crowded to its utmost capacity. For three hours we 
made speeches, told stories and sang. The literary and 
musical talent of our party was fairly developed, and in the 
evening manifestations ranged from gi-ave to gay. The 
merriment was increased when one gentleman jjroduced 
the basket of pears that had been demanded of him. The 
largest " pair " consisted of a couple of little colored chil- 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 69 

clven who had been snugly hid away in the bottom of the 
basket. The committee on resolutions reported the follow- 



Whereas, We, members of the Coit Excursion party — 
not unmindful of Him who constantly watches over us, and 
to whom we are indebted for life and all its pleasures— 
liavino- had a glorious time during our present excursion, 
feel that the promoters of our enjoyment deserve some ex- 
pression of our appreciation of then* efforts in our behalf, 
therefore 

Resolved, That our unfeigned thanks and heart-felt grati- 
tude are due to Mr. George R. Peckham, our worthy 
president, through whom we have been furnished ^\^X\\ our 
intellectual entertainments ; Mr. William Mecorney, our 
faithful clerk and reporter ; Mr. Geo. W. Wheeler, our 
treasm-er, who accepts the responsible position of receiving 
and paying out our money, besides otherwise contributing 
largely to^the pleasure of our party ; Mr. Henry Glazier, 
our'faithful steward, who has successfully and satisfactorily 
provided for our tables, and exercised a constant watchful- 
ness that all should be cared for ; and all other officers of 
om- party for then- efforts in om* behalf 

Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Sanger, for his faithful ser- 
vices as chaplain and excellent discourse on Sabbath morn- 
ino-, and the Rev. Mr. Cobb, for his interesting and practi- 
cafaddi-ess on Sabbath evening, have endeared themselves 
to us, and mil long be remembered. 

Resolved, That om- thanks are due to Dr. Edmn Scho- 
field, for his feithful attention to those who have needed 
his professional services during the excursion. 

Resolved, That we duly appreciate the efforts ol" Mr. 
Elkins, Mr. and Mrs. Mavnard, Miss Winslow, Miss W ar- 
ren, and others of our party who have contributed to our 
enjoyment so largely by their musical performances. 



70 THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 

JResolved, That we are largely indebted to Capt. Brown 
and the other officers and crew of the steamer City oj Neio 
London^ for the pleasure and enjoyment of our trip. 

JResolved, That we are under great obligations to Mr. 
Julius Webb, and other officers of the steamboat company, 
for their liberal action towards us, and their endeavors to 
promote the success of the excursion. 

Resolved, That we acknowledge the kindness of the 
officers in command at West Point for the courtesies ex- 
tended to om' party, and the extra military tactics for our 
special entertainment. 

JResolved, That our gratification with our present excur- 
sion can be expressed in no better way than by recommend- 
ing a similar trip for 1870. 



Responses followed, and an original song, written by 
one of the ladies, was sung by Mr. Elkins, to the tune of 
" John Brown," the whole company joining in the chorus. 

We can truly say that this excursion has more than met 
the expectations of all who have shared in its decided suc- 
cess. We know of nothing that has happened to in the 
least mar the pleasure and happiness of our party. We 
have been gone eight days — have traveled over seven hun- 
dred miles — had our table fm-nished the very best the mar- 
ket affords ; and the expense has been very small com- 
paratively. We had also quite a fund left which we are to 
distribute among om- party. Our arrival at the station in 
Worcester was the occasion of some hearty cheering, and 



THE RIVER AND THE SOUND. 71 

we crossed the old common singing " Home, Sweet Home." 
The 8py has been hailed with delight, whenever and 
wherever we have found it on the route. av. m. 



SONG OF THE EXCURSIONISTS. 

We have come from Worcester city, in the famous old Bay 

State ; 
At least two hundred sixty souls, includino: small and great; 
Our steamer bears us swift along, a gay and goodly freight — 
As we go sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 

We have seen the crested billows of the foamy, flashing brine ; 
We have seen the northern river, with its towns and cities fine ; 
We have seen the glorious Highlands, crowned with cedar and 

with pine. 
As we go sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 

Some have told us of the beauties of the far-off storied Ehine, 
With its castles and its gardens in the country of the vine; 
BHt thy claims, O charming Hudson, we will never more resign, 
As we went sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 

We have seen the modern Babel, with its countless domes and 

spires ; 
With its palaces, and hovels where the light of hope expires; 
With its missions, and its heathen whose hard lot our pity fires. 
As we go sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 



72 THE EIVEE AND THE SOUND. 

Though we've paid relentless Neptune without stint his full 

demand. 
We will give to all their honest dues without a sparing hand, 
Through rough or smooth, through hot or cold, we've still a 

happy band, 
As we go sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 

As we hasten on our journey in pursuit of health and rest, 
There's a joyous thought unbidden springs in every loyal 

breast ; — 
We've a broad and glorious country— 'tis the one we love the 

best. 
As we go sailing on. 

Glory, glory, &c. 




